MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
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Azura- Exploring Creative and Expressive Typography
No full textThis is a project done by Year 2 Design Students in which a text is selected and students are each given a portion. This excerpt is from "Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino (1972) which describes the city of Eusapia, in which both a living and dead copy of the city exist. The goal is to explore expressive typography in a way that both explores the text and breaks traditional rules of typography and the grid it rests on.
Discipline: Design Studies
Faculty Mentor: Constanza Pache
The Role of Regulatory Fit in Pseudoscientific Claims
No full textThis research focuses on why pseudoscientific claims may continue to persist by focusing on the work of Higgins’ (2002) Regulatory Fit theory. This study examines the effects of Regulatory Fit on undergraduates\u27 responses to evaluating a pseudoscientific claim for a memory enhancement. Persistent beliefs in pseudoscientific claims are present at the undergraduate level despite high value on critically analyzing these claims. We aim to show Regulatory Fit (having a promotion or prevention focused goal orientation) is persuasive in accepting different types of pseudoscientific belief. Regulatory Fit may play a role in accepting pseudoscientific claims as they may induce natural positive or negative feelings that can influence how people feel about the claim’s message.
Discipline: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Rodney Schmalt
Harvesting Urban Honey with Modern Technology
No full textThis article looks at the new beekeeping technology of the Flow frame and how it benefits Urban Beekeepers. In spite of negative preconceived notions about new technology, the article compares the time, space, and energy requirements of the new technology as compared to the old technology. What makes a successful honey harvest is also discussed, along with how more people nearby can make the harvest easier and harder to manage
Instrumentation for Photoactivated Cellular Biology
No full textLocal ranchers observed livestock becoming ill after consuming the berries of local flora. The University Lethbridge was asked to investigate why or how the berries were causing the illness. Upon investigation the biology department determined a molecule in the berries which was photoactivated, demonstrated the potential for photodynamic therapy.
The precise calibration of a Photoactivation apparatus is an essential step towards successful utilization of photosensitizers. Using an integrating sphere and a spectroradiometer the spectral and radiometric properties of the LED can be determined. These properties of the LED coupled with a monochromator can be used to accurately calibrate a consumer grade DSLR camera. This DLSR camera can then be used to determine the spectral distribution of the LED when in the photoactivation apparatus. The calibration of the photoactivation apparatus allows for the various properties of the LED to be explored and thus accurate conclusions can be drawn about the photoactivation of the molecule.
The goal of this research is to better understand the exact conditions necessary for photoactivation of this molecule and others
Selective Scratchers: An Analysis of Grizzly Bear Rub Tree Characteristics in SW Alberta
No full textGrizzly Bears (Ursus arctos) have been shown to exhibit rubbing behavior on “rub trees” as a form of intra-specific communication. By leaving chemical cues on trees, the signaling individual can convey information in the absence of physical contact with conspecifics. The criteria that bears use to select rub trees is unclear, especially within characteristic bear habitats in SW Alberta. We surveyed rub tree characteristics in Alberta’s BMA5 (1685km2), near Crowsnest Pass. Analyses of these characteristics showed that the majority of rub trees were located on flat ground, with a slight south-facing orientation (58.7%) and within 3.3m of a trail. Bear hair was found on 99.4% of trees, with 88% featuring discoloured and smooth bark. The most common rub tree species was Lodgepole Pine (56.3%), followed by White Spruce (15.9%) and Engelmann Spruce (8.7%). By comparing rub tree characteristics to those of trees in adjacent stands, we found the presence of “rare” rub tree species. The most common rare rub tree species was Lodgepole Pine (8.6% gross species composition), followed by White Spruce (7.4%) and Subalpine Fir (6.1%). Overall, 30.2% of all rub trees were rare in their stand, demonstrating a significant selection for conspicuous tree species. The results of this study show that Grizzly Bears in SW Alberta rely primarily on well-used trails and uncommon tree species to ensure an increased probability of scent transmission.
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Acute Hyperglycemia Decreases Neurovascular Coupling Magnitude in Healthy Females and Males
No full textNeurovascular coupling (NVC) is the link between neural activity and the corresponding changes to regional cerebral blood flow. Chronic hyperglycemia associated with diabetes has deleterious effects on vascular function. However, the potential effects of acute hyperglycemia on NVC in healthy humans is unknown. We aimed to characterize the effects of acute hyperglycemia on NVC response magnitude in females and males, and hypothesized that acute hyperglycemia would reduce NVC response magnitude. 40 healthy participants (21.6±1.7 yrs; BMI 24.1±4.1 kg/m2; 20 females) were instrumented with electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure heart rate (HR), Finometer to measure mean arterial pressure (MAP), transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) for measurement of posterior cerebral artery velocity (PCAv). Blood glucose was tested using a glucometer and capillary draw via sterile lancet. NVC responses were elicited using a standardized strobe light visual stimulus (VS; 6Hz, 360rpm; 5x30sec on/60sec off) before (fasted) and 30-min after an acute hyperglycemic load (75g glucose, 300ml; 4.8±0.4 vs. 7.5±1.2 mg/dl; P<0.0001). NVC magnitude was quantified as the difference (delta) and percent (%)-change between the mean baseline (2-min average) and the mean of five responses over the 30- sec VS. Acute hyperglycemia reduced delta NVC responses (4.8±3.9 vs. 3.3±3.4 cm/s; P=0.004) and %-change NVC responses (12.5±9.6 vs. 8.1±7.9%; P=0.002). Neither delta nor %-change NVC responses were different between women and men while fasted (P=0.98; P=0.74), nor when hyperglycemic (P=0.42; P=0.34). Our data suggest that acute hyperglycemia decreases NVC response magnitude in healthy adults equally in females and males. Funding Sources: NSERC Discovery, MRU Faculty of Science and Technology
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The Effects of Concussion on the Executive Function of Female Varsity Athletes
No full textThis study examines the effects of previous concussions on executive function (decision making) and memory abilities of female varsity athletes (n=31 age range 18-27). Participants were included if they have suffered at least one concussion within the past five years. Their performance was compared to that of 29 non-athlete female controls without a concussion. We used subjective and objective tests of executive function. Subjective tests included the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-A), and the Amsterdam Executive Function Inventory (AEFI). Objective measures included reconstructing Lego models, the Tower of Hanoi puzzle, Snap card game, and the Stroop test. Memory was assessed with the well-known Wechsler Short-Term Memory test. Executive function was worse in the concussed athletes but only in the subjective measures. Objective measures yielded no differences between the groups. Surprisingly, concussed athletes showed better memory ability than non-concussed controls. Research is underway to determine if this result is because varsity athletes possess better cognitive abilities. Previous research has found positive correlations between these cognitive abilities and exercise, participation in high level sport, and participation in team sport. Further research is also focusing on testing older (55+) athletes and non-athletes to determine if concussion in youth affect cognition but only in later stages.
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Renal Acid-Base Compensation Demonstrates Plasticity During Incremental Ascent to High Altitude
No full textAscent to high altitude, and the associated hypoxic ventilatory response, imposes an acid-base challenge, namely chronic hypocapnia and respiratory alkalosis. The kidneys act to compensate for this respiratory alkalosis via bicarbonate (HCO3-) excretion in urine to induce a compensatory metabolic acidosis. The time course and extent of plasticity of this important renal response during incremental ascent to altitude is unclear. We developed a practical index of renal reactivity (RR), indexing the relative change in arterial HCO3- concentration ([HCO3-]a; i.e., response) against the relative change in arterial partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2; i.e., stimulus) during ascent (i.e., RR=Δ[HCO3-]a/ΔPaCO2). We sought to assess if RR increased over time and with incremental ascent to altitude, and if RR was correlated with relative changes in arterial pH (ΔpHa) throughout ascent. During ascent to 5160m over 10 days in the Nepal Himalaya, arterial blood was drawn from the radial artery for measurement of acid-base variables (Abbott iSTAT portable blood gas/electrolyte analyzer; CG4+ and CHEM8+ cartridges) in lowlanders at 1045/1400m (baseline) and at four different altitudes following one-night sleep: 3440m, 3820m, 4370m and 5160m. At 3820m (day five) and higher, RR significantly increased and plateaued in comparison to 3440m (day three; P<0.04), suggesting plasticity in renal acid-base compensation. At all four altitudes, we observed a strong correlation (range: r=-0.71 to -0.98; P<0.001) between RR and relative ΔpHa from baseline, suggesting that the RR index accurately quantified renal acid-base responsiveness throughout ascent. In conclusion, renal acid-base compensation mechanisms demonstrate plasticity during incremental ascent to high altitude, which was detected using a novel RR index. The extent of plasticity and plateau in renal responsiveness may predict severity of altitude illness or acclimatization at higher or more prolonged stays at altitude.
Support or Funding Information: This work was supported by (a) Alberta Government Student Temporary Employment Program, (b) Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Summer Studentship, and (c) Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery grant.
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Modifying the Stripe Rust Resistance Gene Yr10 in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by PCR Mutagenesis
No full textStripe rust is a disease in cereal crops caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia striiformis which can have devastating effects on crop yields. Cereal plants have unique resistance (R) genes which code for resistance (R) proteins with coiled coil (CC), nucleotide binding site (NBS), and leucine rich repeat (LRR) domains. The CC and LRR domains are thought to be particularly important for protein function/interaction in the resistance response. The Yr10 gene is a stripe rust resistance gene in Triticum aestivum that codes for a unique CC-NBS-LRR sequence but no longer confers resistance to some races of rust. Previous studies indicate that by mutagenizing the DNA sequences that code for the CC and LRR domains it is possible to change the R protein’s sequence, and possibly the interaction during the resistance response3. Thus, the defeated R genes can confer resistance once again when mutagenized in these regions.
This study used PCR mutagenesis (by overlap extension) to mutagenize the Yr10 gene in the regions encoding the CC and LRR domains. Primers were designed to amplify Yr10 such that products contained mutated sequence as extensions, available for overlap. The amplifications were the expected size, indicted primers were successful. The PCR products containing the mutagenized sequences of Yr10 were then assembled with the pANIC 6D vector to be used in further experiments involving the transformation of wheat crops to test resistance.
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Investigating the Interaction Between DDX17 and The Rift Valley Fever Virus 3’ Terminal Region Using a Nano-scale Structural Approach
No full textRift Valley Fever (RVF) is a currently an untreatable disease that affects both humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. This disease is viral in origin and the Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) is transmitted primarily through mosquito vectors Aedes and Culex. RVFV is a part of the Bunyaviridae family, and the genus Phlebovirus. Recent studies have indicated that RVFV interacts with the human DEAD-box RNA helicase protein DDX17. There is minimal research on the specific interactions between this host protein and the viral RNA, although DDX17 has been shown to inhibit RVFV replication. The DDX17 helicase performs a critical role in viral replication, and we are trying to dissect the specific role by which it inhibits RVFV replication. In addition, we are also studying two regions of the RVFV which forms a stem-loop structure that is proposed to interact with DDX17. Using selective 2’-hydroxy acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE) and small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques we aim to gain both secondary and 3-dimensional structural information. To identify specific domains of DDX17 that interact with both viral constructs, we require a highly pure preparation of full-length DDX17 and its truncated domains. Thus, the primary objective of my project is to establish protocols for large scale preparation of full-length and individual domains of DDX17 to identify a specific domain of DDX17 that interacts with the RVFV RNA using Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and study interactions using microscale thermophoresis (MST).
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